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TWO NEW RESIDENTIARY CANONS FOR SOUTHWARK CATHEDRAL

4 October 2004

The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev. Dr Tom Butler has appointed Canon Michael Hart, to be the Canon Missioner of Southwark Cathedral and the Rev. Dr Jane Steen to be the Canon Chancellor and Theologian and Director of Ministerial Training. They will take up their new posts when they are installed at Southwark Cathedral in early 2005.

Canon Michael Hart will work with parishes across the whole of the Diocese in developing appropriate models of mission and evangelistic activity and seeking to deepen spirituality. He will also work with churches on church growth issues and the implementation of the report Mission Shaped Church. Born in 1950, he studied at King's College, London and St Augustine's Canterbury and he was ordained Deacon in 1973 and Priest in 1974 and served his title at St Columba's, Southwick in the Diocese of Durham (1973-6). He was then Curate at St Alphage's, Hendon in the Diocese of London 1976-78), before coming to Southwark Diocese as Priest in Charge (1978 - 83) and then Vicar (1983 - 85) of St Luke's Eltham Park. This was followed by a period as Rector of St Mary, Newington and Priest in Charge of St Michael's and All Angels Camberwell, (1985-96). He was Rural Dean of Southwark and Newington from 1993-96. He was Priest in Charge of Caterham and also of Chaldon (1996-7) and has been Team Rector of Caterham since 1998. He has also been Rural Dean of Caterham since 1998 and in 2001 became an Honorary Canon of Southwark Cathedral. He has served in various roles in Southwark Diocese having been a member of Bishop's Council, of the Cathedral Council, of the Diocesan Pastoral Committee and of Diocesan Synod. He was the Southwark Archdeaconry Adviser for Evangelism (1992 -96) and was a Springboard Missioner from 1998 until earlier this year.

Michael Hart says 'I firmly believe in living and proclaiming God's initiative of welcome: something which is old and yet calling for new expressions in every generation. As one of our Eucharistic prayers says: "As a mother tenderly gathers her children, you embraced a people as your own". I see this as referring to people of every race, language and culture. I ask for your prayers as I prepare to begin this exciting and challenge job.'

The Rev. Dr Jane Steen will be responsible for the continuing ministerial education of clergy within Southwark Diocese and steering through the implementation of the Hind Report on theological education. She will also oversee the various Diocesan courses and initiatives for the lay people of the Diocese. Born in 1964 she has a first degree and a PhD in English from Newnham College, Cambridge. She read Theology at Trinity College, Cambridge and trained for ordination at Westcott House, Cambridge. Ordained Deacon in 1996 and Priest in 1997 she served her title at Chipping Barnet with Arkley, in the Diocese of St Albans. She has been Chaplain to the Bishop of Southwark since October 1999.

Jane Steen says, 'I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve God's people in Southwark Diocese in this new way and look forward to the prospect of further developing the theological education available to people here in the Diocese.'

In speaking of these appointments Bishop Tom said, 'Both priests are well known to the people of Southwark Diocese and I believe that they are both well fitted by qualification, aptitude and experience to the posts to which they have been appointed. I look forward to working with them in these new roles in the years to come'.

The Dean of Southwark, The Very Rev Colin Slee, comments on behalf of the Cathedral, 'We welcome these appointments by the Bishop of Southwark and look forward to sharing our responsibilities with them. We will gain from their knowledge and expertise in the wider aspects of the Cathedral's ministry in and for South London, East Surrey and well beyond these shores.'

Ends

Diocesan Communications Officer
Tel: 020-7939 9400
Mobile: 07831-694021
Fax: 020-7939 9468